K.L. Saigal

Acting

K.L. Saigal

Born April 11, 1904 · Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, British India

Died January 18, 1947 · aged 42

Kundanlal Saigal, often abbreviated as K. L. Saigal, was an Indian singer and actor who is considered the first superstar of the Hindi film industry, which was centred in Kolkata during Saigal's time, but is currently centred in Mumbai. Saigal's unique voice quality which was a mixture of baritone and soft tenor was the benchmark for most of the singers who followed him. In fact it remains the gol…

Known For

DevdasDevdas · 1935
Devdas
8.01935
MovieDramaRomance
Devdas, the son of a zamindar, and Parvati, his neighbour's daughter, are childhood sweethearts. However, class and caste differences prevent their marriage. Devdas is sent off to Calcutta, while Paro is married off to an aged rich widower. In Calcutta, as remorse drives him to alcohol, Devdas meets Chandramukhi, a prostitute. All Indian prints of this Bengali version were destroyed in a fire that ravaged New Theatre’s studios. Today, only one copy of the film survives which belongs to the Bangladesh Film Archives. Of that copy almost forty percent is destroyed.
Omar KhayyamOmar Khayyam · 1946
Omar Khayyam
1946
Movie
The film depicts Omar Khayyam's life, including his rejection of dancer Mahru, which prompts her and rival Ghiyas Beg to persecute him. Despite exile and suffering, Khayyam persists in his humanitarian and scientific work. The plot concludes with his unjust conviction and death sentence for treason, followed by eventual vindication.
The DevotedThe Devoted · 1933
The Devoted
10.01933
Movie
The legend of Prince Puran, born under King Silwan of Sialkot's curse which binds his parents never to set eyes on him until he is 16. Accused of leading a debauched life by an evil general and by the king's second wife, Puran is sentenced to death. Rescued by the mystic Gorakhnath, he becomes an ascetic. When the king is overthrown, Purna rises from his meditations to depose the general who has seized power, before returning to his life of renunciation.
Bhakta SurdasBhakta Surdas · 1942
Bhakta Surdas
9.01942
MovieHistoryMusic
Surdas, a blind poet, embarks on a spiritual journey. He transforms into a revered saint, dedicating his life to crafting devotional poetry for Lord Krishna.
Jiban MaranJiban Maran · 1938
Jiban Maran
5.61938
MovieDrama
A famous radio singer Mohan (Saigal) is in love with Geeta (Leela Desai). When he goes to his friend a doctor, TB Specialist, Bijoy (Bhanu) for a check-up, he is found to be in an advance stage of TB. Meanwhile Leela's dominant mother and aunt (Nibhanani and Manorama) had been against the poor Mohan and had set their eyes on same Dr. Bijoy, the son of a family friend. When Mohan comes to know of it, and also his sickness, he decides to walk away from them. He is intercepted by a doctor who ran a sanatorium for TB patients, with some new method of treatment. Geeta couldn't forget Mohan and waited, but in the end she had to relent. Then it was known that Mohan was alive and cured. What would now Bijoy and Geeta do? There wedding was the next day, and they have to go ahead with it, the honour of both the families were at stake. Mohan too aware of his being exposed, disappears from the sanatorium and is untraceable.
PresidentPresident · 1937
President
7.51937
MovieDrama
Badi Bahen aka President is a 1937 Hindi social romantic drama film (the Bengali version was called Didi and starred several different actors). The story according to the credit roll of the film is "A tale of love and greater love" developed on an idea by M. M. Begg. It was a love triangle with a social content that highlighted the conditions of the mill workers. It was also the first film to show a liberated educated woman managing her own factory
TadbirTadbir · 1945
Tadbir
10.01945
MovieDramaFamily
A man's birth is foretold by an astrologer: he will follow a prostitute, wield a knife, and face the gallows. These prophecies come true in unexpected ways, as he finds salvation through a sacrificing prostitute, becomes a surgeon, and battles personal demons, all while grappling with destiny.
Street SingerStreet Singer · 1938
Street Singer
6.51938
MovieDrama
Two street urchins dream of singing and making it big in the glamorous world of theatre in Calcutta.

Filmography

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Jiban MaranJiban Maran · 1938
Jiban Maran
5.61938
MovieDrama
A famous radio singer Mohan (Saigal) is in love with Geeta (Leela Desai). When he goes to his friend a doctor, TB Specialist, Bijoy (Bhanu) for a check-up, he is found to be in an advance stage of TB. Meanwhile Leela's dominant mother and aunt (Nibhanani and Manorama) had been against the poor Mohan and had set their eyes on same Dr. Bijoy, the son of a family friend. When Mohan comes to know of it, and also his sickness, he decides to walk away from them. He is intercepted by a doctor who ran a sanatorium for TB patients, with some new method of treatment. Geeta couldn't forget Mohan and waited, but in the end she had to relent. Then it was known that Mohan was alive and cured. What would now Bijoy and Geeta do? There wedding was the next day, and they have to go ahead with it, the honour of both the families were at stake. Mohan too aware of his being exposed, disappears from the sanatorium and is untraceable.

Mohan

Yahudi Ki LadkiYahudi Ki Ladki · 1933
Yahudi Ki Ladki
8.01933
Movie
This costume drama, adapted from Agha Hashar Kashmiri's classic Urdu play, unfolds a tale of rivalry, revenge, and love set against the backdrop of Roman persecution of Jews. The story centers on the Jewish merchant Prince Ezra, whose young son is tragically lost due to the cruel Roman Priest Brutus. In an act of vengeance, Ezra's slave kidnaps Brutus's infant daughter, Decia, bringing her to Ezra. Unable to harm her, Ezra raises Decia as his own, renaming her Hannah. Years later, Hannah falls in love with Marcus, a Roman prince (played by K. L. Saigal), leading to a complex web of mistaken identities, betrayal, and a dramatic confrontation that exposes the intertwined fates of both families and challenges notions of religion and lineage.

Prince Marcus